Podcasts

Summary:

This episode features a series of presentations and insightful discussions that took place at the 2023 Australian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Congress about EMV and EMV Toric. Join leading ophthalmologists Prof Graham Barrett, Dr Filomena Ribeiro, Dr Karl Stonecipher, Dr Damien Gatinel, Dr Georgia Cleary, Dr Dean Corbett, and Dr Brian Harrisberg as they discuss patient counseling and outcomes and more.

Bios:

Professor Graham Barrett
Professor Graham Barrett is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and a Clinical Professor in the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science.  Professor Barrett has a made an extensive and varied contribution to ophthalmology, both nationally and internationally. He is founder and immediate past President of the AUSCRS.

Dr Filomena Ribeiro
Dr Filomena Ribeiro is the head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Hospital da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal and a member of the executive board of the ESCRS.

Dr Karl Stonecipher
Dr Karl Stonecipher is the medical director of TLC Greensboro in North Carolina and a clinical associate professor of Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina. Dr Stonecipher has over 100 abstracts, articles, and book chapters published, and speaks both nationally and internationally on refractive, cataract, presbyopic and refractive surgery.

Dr Damien Gatinel
Dr Damien Gatinel is among the world’s leading experts in refractive surgery and head of the Department of Refractive and Anterior Segment Surgery at the Rothschild Foundation Hospital in Paris, France. He is the author of more than 170 publications in peer-reviewed journals and also the owner of several patents for IOLs.

Dr Georgia Cleary
Dr Georgia Cleary is a fellowship trained cornea specialist with a research interest in cataract surgery and intraocular lenses. She is a consultant ophthalmologist at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, where she works in the Corneal Unit, Acute Ophthalmology and Surgical Ophthalmology Services.

Dr Dean Corbett
Dr Dean Corbett is a highly esteemed educator and surgeon with 20 years of expertise. He specializes in vision correction, glaucoma and innovative techniques in New Zealand and has been instrumental in introducing new and innovative products and techniques to both New Zealand patients and surgeons.

Dr Brian Harrisberg
Dr Brian Harrisberg is one of Australia’s most accomplished and experienced ophthalmologists. He is an expert in the areas of cataract and refractive surgery and is involved in trialing and developing new technology.  He is a key opinion leader on intraocular lens design. Dr Harrisberg is the founder and medical director of Central Sydney Eye Surgeons located in RPA Medical Centre, Newtown.

Key Takeaways:

• A long thought-out solution: After many years of thinking about lenses and lens design and optics, Prof Graham Barrett found a solution that gives patients the best satisfaction with the least compromise in their quality of vision – the RayOne EMV.
• Gains in depth of focus: After studying and comparing different EDOF lenses, Dr Damien Gatinel explains that the EMV provides a greater depth of focus than a normal spherical IOL.
• A broad range of patients: Prof Barrett highlights that the range of people who could have the EMV lens is very broad and the extended range of vision can help patients continue their hobbies, whether it be reading or playing sports.
• Reducing the risk of falling: Dr Karl Stonecipher and Dr Filomena Ribeiro discuss the new clinical studies coming out of Canada showing that extended range of vision decreases the risk of falling in patients. Dr Ribeiro emphasizes that many EMV patients do not need progressive glasses, which increase the risk of falling.
• A beautiful, well-designed product: For Dr Dean Corbett, the EMV is very well designed and has one of the best preloaded injectors that he has ever used, stating that “it folds the lens beautifully and that the wound size is very attractive.”
• Delivering terrific results: Dr Corbett concludes that the EMV with mini-monovision can potentially deliver terrific functional vision for patients.

Follow Professor Graham Barrett on social:
Professor Graham Barrett | LinkedIn

Follow Dr Filomena Ribeiro on social:
Dr Filomena Ribeiro | LinkedIn

Follow Dr Damien Gatinel on social:
Dr Damien Gatinel | LinkedIn

Follow Dr Georgia Cleary on social:
Dr Georgia Cleary | LinkedIn
Dr Georgia Cleary | Instagram

Follow Dr Dean Corbett on social:
Dr Dean Corbett | LinkedIn
Dr Dean Corbett | Instagram

Follow Dr Brian Harrisberg on social:
Dr Brian Harrisberg | LinkedIn
Dr Brian Harrisberg | Instagram

Summary:

Rayner’s Vice President of Marketing, Chris Willis, is joined by his colleagues European Marketing Director, Tim Brown, and Medical Communications Manager, Anne Nestor, for this special episode of Peer2Peer: the Podcast. In a break from the usual surgeon-led programming they discuss Rayner’s plans for the ESCRS 2023 congress in Vienna including an expansive scientific program, two new and exciting digital launches, and more.

Key Takeaways:

• The full Rayner Scientific programme can be viewed and added easily to calendars at rayner.com/escrs2023. This year, Rayner products and data will be covered in 14 free papers, 11 presented posters and 26 e-posters by leading surgeons. These presentations will cover Rayner’s range of IOLs, and go in-depth on topics such as toric IOLs, enhanced monofocal IOLs and trifocality.
• Rayner’s Lunchtime Symposium, ‘Balancing Quantity and Quality of Vision with Advanced Technology IOLs’ and moderated by Professor Graham Barrett is scheduled for Sunday at 13:00 in room A5. In addition to sharing the truth about advanced IOL optics, the panel will present large scale and comparative real-world clinical results, as well as patient reported outcomes using the latest in digital health platforms.
• Rayner will have two digital platform launches at the ESCRS: RayPRO and Peer2Peer. RayPRO, Rayner’s platform designed to provide surgeons with long-term, real-time patient-report insights for a period up to three years, goes brand agnostic and also now includes the clinically validated Cat-PROM5 questionnaire. Peer2Peer, Rayner’s clinical education platform, will relaunch with an extensive revamp and new feature – KOL Corner, where visitors can access timestamped video content that answers specific questions.
• Rayner has taken the challenge, issued last year, of making the ESCRS congress carbon neutral. Rayner’s 2023 booth is made of over 90% recycled/recyclable materials, with 80% of components being reused from last year. For every product inquiry that gets made during ESCRS, Rayner will plant a tree.

Rayner at ESCRS: Full Schedule: Rayner.com/ESCRS2023

Rayner on Social:

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Instagram

YouTube

Twitter

Summary:

Recorded at AECOS, Dr Paul Singh (US), Dr Arjan Hura (US) and Dr Karolinne Rocha (US) delve into the recent advancements in ophthalmic technology. Their conversation covers the application of RayOne EMV for enhanced monovision, the importance of tracking patient-reported outcomes using RayPRO, and the role of HASA OPTIX premium, single-use instruments in promoting efficiency within the operating room.

Bios:

Dr Inder Paul Singh (host)

Dr Inder Paul Singh president of The Eye Centres of Racine & Kenosha Ltd. in Wisconsin. His clinical research has been published and presented at various national meetings and universities around the world. Dr. Singh was also named America’s Best Eye Doctor in 2021 by Newsweek.

Dr Arjan Hura (guest)

Dr Arjan Hura is a refractive cataract and anterior segment surgeon at the Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute in Los Angeles, California.

Dr Karolinne Rocha (guest)

Dr Karolinne Rocha is assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at MUSC in Charleston, South Carolina specializing in cataract, cornea, and refractive surgery.

Key Takeaways:

• RayOne EMV offers extended range of vision without compromise: Dr Rocha describes EMV as a ‘monofocal plus’ IOL, providing excellent intermediate vision wihtout compromising distance. Dr Hura highlights the benefits for patients with corneal issues, Fuchs’ dystrophy, or spherical aberration from an ERM.
• Importance of intermediate vision: Dr Rocha stresses the significance of intermediate vision, often overlooked by patients who are focused on far sight. Modern life relies heavily on devices like smartphones and tablets which are held at arm’s length.
• Simplified patient follow-up with RayPRO: Addressing post-surgery challenges, Dr Hura praises RayPRO for direct patient-surgeon data exchange, enabling thorough vision progress assessment to support informed decisions.
• Long-term, real-time, patient-reported insights with RayPRO: The surgeons highlight RayPRO as an effective tool for continuous patient follow-up and data collection up to three years post-surgery.
• HASA OPTIX improves OR efficiency: The surgeons support single-use instruments for instant tool access, enhancing precision, reducing OR stress, and potentially lowering infection risks.

Additional Resources:

Follow Dr Inder Paul Singh on social:
Dr Inder Paul Singh | LinkedIn 

Follow Dr Arjan Hura on social:
Dr Arjan Hura | LinkedIn 

Follow Dr Karolinne Rocha on social:
(18) Karolinne Maia Rocha M.D, Ph.D | LinkedIn

Summary:

Recorded at ASCRS, Professor Oliver Findl (Austria) and Prof David Chang (USA) discuss their collective dedication to promoting sustainability in the field of ophthalmology. They delve into the various initiatives, best practices, and offer a visionary outlook, ultimately illuminating the path toward a future where sustainable eye surgery thrives.

Bios:

Professor Oliver Findl (host)
Professor Oliver Findl chairs the Department of Ophthalmology at the Hanusch Hospital in Vienna, Austria. He has authored over 350 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and is currently the president of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) where his tenure has focused on a mission of sustainability.

Prof David Chang (guest)
Prof David Chang is a clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco. He is past chair of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Cataract Preferred Practice Pattern and the Annual Meeting Program Committee. Prof Chang is also past president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and he chaired of the ASCRS Foundation for 9 years. He currently heads the advisory board of EyeSustain, a global consortium of eye societies focused on making ophthalmic care and surgery more sustainable.

Key Takeaways:

• The healthcare sector accounts for a significant amount of carbon emissions for most industrialised countries, ranging from 5% in most European countries to almost 10% in the US. This realisation has highlighted the paradox that the very profession entrusted with safeguarding public health is contributing significantly to the largest threat to our well-being. To address this complex issue, groups like EyeSustain have emerged, bringing together surgeons and industry stakeholders to find sustainable solutions.
• A survey conducted by EyeSustain among US surgeons revealed that 95% of respondents believed there is excessive waste in ophthalmic surgery and expressed concerns about global warming.
• Ophthalmic manufacturers have a responsibility to lead change. Rayner has taken a significant step towards sustainability at industry congresses by actively working to offset carbon emissions, such as participating in tree planting initiatives, adopting a paperless approach and constructing booths from reusable and sustainable materials.
• Beyond a single event, Rayner, like other companies, are evaluating their own products and making changes such as moving to electronic Instructions for Use (eIFUs), replacing plastic blister packaging with pouches, and even considering the elimination of product boxes.
• Surgeons and their surgical centers can act immediately in several ways. Prof Chang and Prof Findl suggest:
  1. Reviewing surgical packs to ensure they contain only necessary items.
  2. Consider moving from full body drapes and gowns for patients to using large eye drapes.
  3. Opt for alcohol-based hand scrubs instead of water-based solutions to conserve water and improve efficiency.
  4. Consider reusing multi-dose bottles that are currently being discarded after a single use.
• Join the movement today by taking the EyeSustain pledge which includes seven actions you can implement to reduce your environmental footprint. It also makes you a member of the community sharing information, learnings and ultimately working together to make ophthalmic surgery more sustainable.

Connect with Professor Oliver Findl on social:
Professor Oliver Findl | LinkedIn

Summary:

Recorded at ASCRS, Dr Ben LaHood (Australia) chats with Professor Graham Barrett (Australia) who has made an extensive contribution to ophthalmology including Rayner’s RayOne EMV enhanced monofocal IOL.

Bios:

Dr Ben LaHood (host)
Dr Ben LaHood, refractive cataract and laser vision correction surgeon from Australia, has gained international recognition for his extensive research on astigmatism management and biometry, which is regularly shared around the world. Additionally, Dr Ben LaHood is the host of two widely popular ophthalmology-themed podcasts.

Professor Graham Barrett (guest)
Professor Graham Barrett, is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and a Clinical Professor in the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

Professor Barrett has a made an extensive and varied contribution to ophthalmology, both nationally and internationally. He is founder and immediate past President of the AUSCRS.

Key Takeaways:

• The goal of RayOne EMV: Professor Barrett collaborated with Rayner on the RayOne EMV enhanced monofocal IOL with the aim of improving vision to reduce the dependency on glasses while maintaining excellent visual quality. Unlike diffractive multifocal or extended depth of focus IOLs that often compromise the quality of vision, RayOne EMV seeks to provide standard monofocal levels of dysphotopsia.
• The concept behind RayOne EMV: Professor Barrett’s objective was to extend the depth of focus and ensure optimal usage of light. Over a decade ago, after thorough exploration of optics, he introduced the concept of extended depth of focus and ‘monofocal plus’. He aimed to strike a desirable balance between focus range and the amount of positive spherical aberration on the IOL optic.
• Professor Barrett’s choice of positive spherical aberration (+SA) rather than negative spherical aberration (-SA):
  Alignment with the natural visual system: Positive spherical aberration aligns with our natural visual system, as our receptors are adapted to it.
  – Less affected by decentration: Positive spherical aberration is less sensitive to decentration than negative spherical aberration. Therefore, even if the IOL is not perfectly centered, visual quality is less likely to be compromised.
  – Optimal visual quality: Combining negative defocus (myopia) with positive spherical aberration provides better vision than having either aberration alone. Negative spherical aberration works synergistically with hyperopia, but most patients prefer a slight amount of myopia. In cases of monovision, positive spherical aberration is more likely to provide synergy.
• Using RayOne EMV with monovision: Professor Barrett recommends treating the first eye with either no refractive correction (plano) or slight myopia. Accurate results rely on optimising the lens constant. The target for the second eye can vary depending on the surgeon’s preference, ranging from perfect distance vision to including reading and intermediate vision. Modest monovision can be achieved with compatible refractive corrections such as -0.75 D or -1.0 D.
• Managing astigmatism with RayOne EMV Toric: Professor Barrett anticipates that the RayOne EMV Toric lens will become his primary choice for managing patients with astigmatism due to the high level of patient satisfaction and absence of dysphotopsia. Both Professor Barrett and Dr LaHood agree that they will always choose a toric IOL for patients with significant astigmatism, without emphasising the distinction between a standard lens and its toric variation

Connect with Dr Ben LaHood on social:
Dr Ben LaHood (@drbenlahood) | Instagram
Ben LaHood | LinkedIn

Connect with Professor Graham Barrett on social:
Professor Graham Barrett | LinkedIn

Summary:

Recorded at ASCRS, Dr Ben LaHood (Australia) and Dr Damien Gatinel (France) dive deeply into advanced IOL optics and discuss the bench testing Gatinel has performed across a large number of the IOLs currently on the market. The results of this work empower ophthalmic surgeons to better predict the performance of different IOLs based on key factors such as asphericity, aspheric aberration (positive or negative), thickness, multifocality, aperture effect, lens placement and more.

Bios:

Dr Ben LaHood (host)
Dr Ben LaHood, refractive cataract and laser vision correction surgeon from Australia, has gained international recognition for his extensive research on astigmatism management and biometry, which is regularly shared around the world. Additionally, Dr Ben LaHood is the host of two widely popular ophthalmology-themed podcasts.

Dr Damien Gatinel (guest)
Dr Damien Gatinel is among the world’s leading experts in refractive surgery and head of the Department of Refractive and Anterior Segment Surgery at the Rothschild Foundation Hospital in Paris, France. He is the author of more than 170 publications in peer-reviewed journals and also the owner of several patents for IOLs.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of higher order aberrations: Dr Gatinel emphasises the significance of understanding higher order aberrations, as they have a significant impact on the quality of vision and depth of focus. He and his team diligently analyse and classify IOLs as part of their ongoing optical bench testing program. By studying these factors, they aim to improve their understanding of IOL performance and enhance patient outcomes.
• Managing expectations with new IOLs: Dr Gatinel, recommends underpromising to patients when using innovative products, particularly for individuals with more advanced cataracts. This approach allows for a comprehensive evaluation of how the expected results correspond to the actual reported outcomes, ensuring patient satisfaction and informed decision-making.
• Attending to patient needs: Dr LaHood and Dr Gatinel highlight the importance of understanding patients’ lifestyles to provide personalised recommendations for the most suitable IOL. They stress the need to consider a wide range of near vision tasks beyond just reading habits, such as digital device use. This comprehensive understanding enables more tailored and effective IOL recommendations.
• Dr Damien Gatinel’s clinical study on RayOne EMV: Dr Gatinel discusses his evaluation of the RayOne EMV lens on the optical bench, emphasising its advantageous positive spherical aberration. He highlights that this characteristic provides significant benefits for patient outcomes by eliminating visual disturbances such as halos and glare.
• The advantages of positive spherical aberration: Dr Gatinel concludes that lenses with positive spherical aberration, like RayOne EMV, offer benefits when targeting a slightly hyperopic correction. This extended depth of focus is particularly advantageous for patients with larger pupils, commonly seen in younger individuals.
• The future of optical technology: Dr Gatinel predicts that optical advancements will increasingly focus on customising IOLs to cater to each patient’s unique characteristics, such as cornea properties, pupil diameter, lens placement, and astigmatism. This personalised approach will enable a more precise match between the IOL and the individual patient. Dr Gatinel believes that there is also a possibility of transitioning from pseudo accommodation to true accommodation, which would significantly transform the landscape of IOLs.

Connect with Dr Ben LaHood on social:
Dr Ben LaHood (@drbenlahood) | Instagram
Ben LaHood | LinkedIn

Connect with Dr Damien Gatinel on social:
Dr Damien Gatinel | LinkedIn

Summary:

Dr Ben LaHood (Australia) and Ms Lucia Pelosini (UK) discuss the effective strategies for managing astigmatism. They delve into key aspects such as patient assessment, selection processes, and the treatment of astigmatism in regular and irregular eyes. They also analyse the latest data on the RayOne EMV Toric and share invaluable insights to help achieve optimal outcomes with toric IOLs.

Bios:

Dr Ben LaHood (host)
Dr Ben LaHood, refractive cataract and laser vision correction surgeon from Australia, has gained international recognition for his extensive research on astigmatism management and biometry, which is regularly shared around the world. Additionally, Dr Ben LaHood is the host of two widely popular ophthalmology-themed podcasts.

Ms Lucia Pelosini  (guest)
Ms Lucia Pelosini is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. Ms Pelosini has extensive experience in both corneal-based and lens-based refractive surgery techniques and is an educational and clinical supervisor for Junior doctors and fellows of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in London.

Key Takeaways:

• Thresholds for treating astigmatism: Ms Pelosini emphasises the significance of addressing astigmatism in patients regardless of its severity. The utilisation of toric IOLs enables surgeons to enhance visual outcomes for individuals with both mild and severe astigmatism, rather than simply swapping poor vision caused by cataracts with poor vision caused by astigmatism.
• Astigmatism and depth of focus: Dr LaHood and Ms Pelosini agree that the notion of leaving patients with a certain level of astigmatism to achieve depth of focus is a misconception. Nowadays, surgeons have access to more sophisticated solutions on the market, such as RayOne EMV and trifocal lenses, which they can utilise to achieve better visual outcomes.
• Patient outcomes with RayOne Toric (60 patients): Ms Pelosini summarises her clinical findings of 60 patients who underwent implantation with the RayOne Toric IOL. Her results affirm that there were no cases of regression or the necessity for IOL rotation or adjustment, indicating the dependable stability of the RayOne Toric.
• Enhancing toric IOL outcomes: Dr LaHood and Ms Pelosini share valuable recommendations for improving patient outcomes. They emphasise the significance of evaluating the ocular surface during the patient selection, obtaining precise measurements, ensuring the appropriate size of capsulorhexis for stability, thorough removal of OVD, and diligent postoperative evaluation. These tips contribute to optimising the success of toric IOL procedures.
• RayOne EMV Toric: Ms Pelosini outlines the benefits of the RayOne EMV Toric IOL, specifically highlighting its “loop” haptic design. This design offers advantages such as preventing posterior capsule shrinkage and enhancing lens stability within the capsular bag. Additionally, Dr LaHood and Ms Pelosini agree that a lower cylinder value of 0.75 diopters, which is lower than what most lens manufacturers typically offer, is optimal for achieving favorable results.

Connect with Dr Ben LaHood on social:
Dr Ben LaHood (@drbenlahood) | Instagram
Ben LaHood | LinkedIn

Connect with Ms Lucia Pelosini on social:
Lucia Pelosini | LinkedIn

Summary:

Mr Alastair Stuart (UK) and Dr Ben LaHood (Australia) explore the advancements in technology that enable modified monovision. The discussion encompasses the utilisation of positive and negative spherical aberration, a comprehensive comparison between enhanced monofocal and trifocal IOLs, and valuable insights for surgeons striving to deliver optimal blended vision to patients who desire reduced reliance on eyeglasses.

Bios:

Dr Ben LaHood (host)
Dr Ben LaHood, refractive cataract and laser vision correction surgeon from Australia, has gained international recognition for his extensive research on astigmatism management and biometry, which is regularly shared around the world. Additionally, Ben is the host of two widely popular ophthalmology-themed podcasts.

Mr Alastair Stuart (guest)
Mr Alastair Stuart is a Cataract and Refractive Surgeon at Optegra Eye Hospital Hampshire in the UK. He is highly experienced in cataract and lens based surgery, has presented on blended vision at congresses around Europe, and he is also one of just a few surgeons worldwide to have had formal training in refractive surgery.

Key Takeaways:

• Spherical aberration: Mr Stuart explains the concept of true blended vision or ‘modified monovision’, which incorporates positive spherical aberration into each eye to reduce the associated drawbacks of standard monovision. Spherical aberration converts light from passing through a single focus point to spreading light through the visual axis, which elongates the focal range from far to intermediate. Typically, with this method, the reading vision of an eye that is set at distance (which induces spherical aberration), is a lot better than a cataract patient who has a standard monofocal, as the two eyes work together synergistically, resulting in improved tolerance levels of ~98%.
• Positive spherical aberration: The total spherical aberration in the eye post-surgery includes what was in the lens, and what was innately in the patient’s cornea – Mr Stuart carries out these measurements prior to performing the lens replacement surgery with RayOne EMV, to predict patient outcomes. The distribution of positive spherical aberration in patient corneas is around 0.2 microns, therefore inducing positive spherical aberration with an IOL moves the patients towards 0.3-0.4, rather than negative which would push towards 0.
• Practising monovision: Standard monovision involves making one eye better for near vision and the other eye for distance, reported downsides for patients include cross blur, suppression of distance sight, and loss of stereopsis – Mr Stuart explains that some surgeons have been burnt because of these complications. Modified monovision brings some useful near and intermediate vision to the system while helping the distance eye, which improves tolerance and extends emmetropia.
• Patient adaptation: Mr Stuart uses RayOne EMV in two different ways, either at plano or in a modified monovision set-up. During the adaptation period for patients who undergo the monovision set-up, Mr Stuart offers patients temporary glasses which he advises patients to use sparingly to avoid jeopardising the adaptation process.
• Refractive accuracy: Mr Stuart and Dr LaHood discuss the RayOne EMV lens and its refractive accuracy, which they agreed 80% of patients achieve within half of the intended target. Mr Stuart explains that when patients are off target, they are typically myopic. Mr Stuart has found that the RayOne EMV lens is more forgiving when implanted at plano. He goes on to explain that he targets the first plus on the biometry for the plano eye and tends to aim for -0.25 D to achieve -1.50D in the refraction. Pushing plus in the refraction gives a hard endpoint, and consistent refractions across clinicians is what Mr Stuart advises is important for auditing data.
• Segmental refractive IOLs vs RayOne EMV: Mr Stuart has limited experience with segmental refractive IOLs, however feels that more than one focal point poses risk to a drop in distance quality and contrast sensitivity. Modern multifocal technology which works to reduce the diffractive rings to reduce glare, in Mr Stuart’s opinion will only compromise the reading vision. The surgeons agree that there is no such thing as a ‘free lunch’ or a perfect lens, however Mr Stuart explains that he prefers implanting RayOne EMV compared to multifocal IOLs due to the higher patient dissatisfaction rate with the latter.

Connect with Dr Ben LaHood on social:
Dr Ben LaHood (@drbenlahood) | Instagram
Ben LaHood | LinkedIn

Connect with Mr Alastair Stuart on social:
Alastair Stuart | LinkedIn

Summary:

Mr Alastair Stuart (UK) and Dr Ben LaHood (Australia) explore the advancements in technology that enable modified monovision. The discussion encompasses the utilisation of positive and negative spherical aberration, a comprehensive comparison between enhanced monofocal and trifocal IOLs, and valuable insights for surgeons striving to deliver optimal blended vision to patients who desire reduced reliance on eyeglasses.

Bios:

Dr Ben LaHood (host)
Dr Ben LaHood, refractive cataract and laser vision correction surgeon from Australia, has gained international recognition for his extensive research on astigmatism management and biometry, which is regularly shared around the world. Additionally, Ben is the host of two widely popular ophthalmology-themed podcasts.

Mr Alastair Stuart (guest)
Mr Alastair Stuart is a Cataract and Refractive Surgeon at Optegra Eye Hospital Hampshire in the UK. He is highly experienced in cataract and lens based surgery, has presented on blended vision at congresses around Europe, and he is also one of just a few surgeons worldwide to have had formal training in refractive surgery.

Key Takeaways:

• Spherical aberration: Mr Stuart explains the concept of true blended vision or ‘modified monovision’, which incorporates positive spherical aberration into each eye to reduce the associated drawbacks of standard monovision. Spherical aberration converts light from passing through a single focus point to spreading light through the visual axis, which elongates the focal range from far to intermediate. Typically, with this method, the reading vision of an eye that is set at distance (which induces spherical aberration), is a lot better than a cataract patient who has a standard monofocal, as the two eyes work together synergistically, resulting in improved tolerance levels of ~98%.
• Positive spherical aberration: The total spherical aberration in the eye post-surgery includes what was in the lens, and what was innately in the patient’s cornea – Mr Stuart carries out these measurements prior to performing the lens replacement surgery with RayOne EMV, to predict patient outcomes. The distribution of positive spherical aberration in patient corneas is around 0.2 microns, therefore inducing positive spherical aberration with an IOL moves the patients towards 0.3-0.4, rather than negative which would push towards 0.
• Practising monovision: Standard monovision involves making one eye better for near vision and the other eye for distance, reported downsides for patients include cross blur, suppression of distance sight, and loss of stereopsis – Mr Stuart explains that some surgeons have been burnt because of these complications. Modified monovision brings some useful near and intermediate vision to the system while helping the distance eye, which improves tolerance and extends emmetropia.
• Patient adaptation: Mr Stuart uses RayOne EMV in two different ways, either at plano or in a modified monovision set-up. During the adaptation period for patients who undergo the monovision set-up, Mr Stuart offers patients temporary glasses which he advises patients to use sparingly to avoid jeopardising the adaptation process.
• Refractive accuracy: Mr Stuart and Dr LaHood discuss the RayOne EMV lens and its refractive accuracy, which they agreed 80% of patients achieve within half of the intended target. Mr Stuart explains that when patients are off target, they are typically myopic. Mr Stuart has found that the RayOne EMV lens is more forgiving when implanted at plano. He goes on to explain that he targets the first plus on the biometry for the plano eye and tends to aim for -0.25 D to achieve -1.50D in the refraction. Pushing plus in the refraction gives a hard endpoint, and consistent refractions across clinicians is what Mr Stuart advises is important for auditing data.
• Segmental refractive IOLs vs RayOne EMV: Mr Stuart has limited experience with segmental refractive IOLs, however feels that more than one focal point poses risk to a drop in distance quality and contrast sensitivity. Modern multifocal technology which works to reduce the diffractive rings to reduce glare, in Mr Stuart’s opinion will only compromise the reading vision. The surgeons agree that there is no such thing as a ‘free lunch’ or a perfect lens, however Mr Stuart explains that he prefers implanting RayOne EMV compared to multifocal IOLs due to the higher patient dissatisfaction rate with the latter.

Connect with Dr Ben LaHood on social:
Dr Ben LaHood (@drbenlahood) | Instagram
Ben LaHood | LinkedIn

Connect with Mr Alastair Stuart on social:
Alastair Stuart | LinkedIn

Summary:

Vice President of Marketing, Chris Willis, is joined by Marketing Director for the Americas, Sam van Roon, and Sr. Director and OMIDRIA Brand Lead, Nicolee Schulze to discuss what listeners can expect from Rayner at ASCRS this year, including the US launch of HASA OPTIX and RayPRO+, and new outcome data on Rayner products that will be presented on the podium.

Key Takeaways:

• HASA OPTIX: Rayner is launching HASA OPTIX in the United States following a successful European launch. These instruments increase operating room efficiencies, save time and money, and improve inventory management. Surgeons can learn about HASA OPTIX at the Rayner booth, speak to the CEO, and test the quality of the instruments themselves.
• RayPRO+: RayPRO+, an enhanced profile of RayPRO, also launches officially at ASCRS. RayPRO+ allows surgeons to collect and compare patient-reported outcomes from any IOL manufacturer, providing a brand agnostic platform. RayPRO+ offers insights into patient satisfaction, dysphotopsia rates, and target refraction; and it’s easier to use with a new CSV file technology. Roger Zaldivar will present new data on how RayPRO+ can deliver clinical data sets and insights without putting additional workload on staff.
• Podium presentations: New data and outcomes with Rayner products will be shared in several podium presentations by KOLs (key opinion leaders). Dr. Michael Endl will be presenting a study comparing bilateral emmetropic outcomes with EMV to a standard monofocal. Other presentations will cover topics such as the effectiveness of OMIDRIA and the use of RayPRO to improve patient outcomes.

Summary:

Dr Michael Endl (US) reflects on his extensive experience with RayOne EMV. Having successfully implanted RayOne EMV in nearly 100 eyes, Dr Endl notes that the lens has granted patients a wide range of independence from wearing spectacles, encompassing near, intermediate, and distance vision.

Bios:

Dr Michael Endl
Dr Michael Endl is a partner at Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare. He is also head of ophthalmology at Ambulatory Surgery Center of Western New York in Niagara Falls, NY and is the Medical Director of the Ambulatory Surgery Center of Western New York in Amherst. He is an FDA clinical trial investigator and has presented peer-reviewed papers at the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) annually since 2001. Dr Endl has also written numerous chapters in books and peer-reviewed medical journals. He has performed over 40,000 refractive surgery procedures, and over the past ten years has expanded his corneal practice to include micro-invasive glaucoma procedures and advanced corneal grafting.

Key Takeaways:

• 100 eyes: Dr Endl has implanted RayOne EMV in nearly 100 eyes since learning about the IOL that was developed with Professor Graham Barrett.
• Patient expectations: Dr Endl believes that in modern society, patients are increasingly demanding a better range of vision, but without compromise.
• Broader range of spectacle independence: Dr Endl recommends using RayOne EMV by targeting the dominant eye first for optimal distance vision, before operating on the second eye two weeks later. The period in-between bilateral implantation allows patients to provide feedback on their vision, which allows surgeons to determine the appropriate correction for the second eye, to achieve the desired visual outcome. If the patient needs some range inside of 20 inches, Dr Endl targets the non-dominant eye with -0.75 to -1.0 D.
• Surgeons new to RayOne EMV: Dr Endl recommends using RayOne EMV at plano for the dominant eye, and a small minus for the non-dominant eye.
• Contrast sensitivity: Dr Endl refers to a real-world patient satisfaction survey submitted to the ASCRS, with 30 patients implanted with RayOne EMV compared to 30 patients with a standard monofocal lens – the results showed no difference in reported contrast sensitivity.
• Patient satisfaction: Dr Endl explains that patient satisfaction with RayOne EMV for intermediate and near activities, when compared with a standard monofocal lens, is almost double. Dr Endl’s patient satisfaction survey also showed no increase in visual noise or difficulty with nighttime driving.
• Counselling patients: Dr Endl offers three package options for his patients, including tier 1: monovision, tier 2: enhanced monovision (where RayOne EMV is his lens of choice) and tier 3: Trifocal IOL.

Connect with Dr Endl on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-endl-a8a1465b/

Summary:

Mr Allon Barsam (UK) engages in a discussion with Dr Eric Donnenfeld (US) and Eric T’Scharner regarding the crucial role of surgical instruments in the success of eye surgery. During their conversation, they explore the emergence of a new player in the instrument industry, HASA Optix, which aims to provide surgeons with innovative solutions without compromising on quality. Notably, HASA Optix also focuses on reducing the environmental impact of eye surgery.

Bios:

Mr Allon Barsam (host)
Mr Allon Barsam is a director and founding partner of OCL Vision in the UK. He specialises in laser eye surgery, lens-based vision correction surgery, cataract surgery with premium lenses, corneal transplantation, and keratoconus management.

Dr Eric Donnenfeld (guest)
Dr Eric Donnenfeld is an internationally recognised expert and pioneer in refractive, cornea and cataract surgery and one of the leading refractive and cataract surgeons in the United States.  He has won numerous awards, including being named Newsweek’s best ophthalmologist in America in both 2022 and 2021.

Mr Eric T’Scharner (guest)
Eric T’Scharner is Chief ‘Everything’ Officer (CEO) at HASA Optix, a start-up surgical instrument company based in Belgium that develops sustainable premium single use instruments for ophthalmic surgery.

Key Takeaways:

HASA OPTIX is a Belgium based medical device company and manufacturer of premium-quality, recyclable, single-use ophthalmic surgical instruments.

Dr Donnenfeld believes that HASA OPTIX provides ‘absolutely the best instruments’ that he has used ‘in his entire career’, recommending them over reusable instruments for the following reasons:

• Premium quality– The level of precision and accuracy with which HASA OPTIX constucts their instruments provides a quality standard equivalent to reusable instruments. The panel agrees that this can improve the reliability of surgeries, reduce the risk of complications, and provide patients with the quality outcomes they want from surgery.
• Improved accuracy: Dr Donnenfeld references microforceps and explains ‘The quality of the HASA microforceps are actually better than the ones that I use that are reusable !’  Assuring surgeons that the instruments ‘meet your needs’ to ‘provide the feel in the OR that goes towards you being a competent surgeon.’
• Lower cost: Eric T’Scharner explains that disposable instruments are actually more cost-effective versus reusable instruments since they eliminate the need for expensive sterilisation equipment and associated procedures. A further review will be published this year (2023) comparing in detail the overall cost and carbon footprint of disposable versus reusable instrumentation.
• Increased efficiency: Switching to single-use instruments means that the right tools are always readily available to accomplish the right goals, leads to better organization in the OR, less stress for the surgeons and staff, and can lower the risk of infections.

Connect with Mr Allon Barsam on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allon-barsam-b533b45/
https://twitter.com/AllonBarsam
https://www.instagram.com/allonbarsam/

Connect with Dr Donnenfeld on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-donnenfeld-98b6a168

Connect with Eric T’Scharner on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-t-scharner-172ab917/

Summary:

Mr Allon Barsam (UK) engages in a discussion with Dr Eric Donnenfeld (US) and Eric T’Scharner regarding the crucial role of surgical instruments in the success of eye surgery. During their conversation, they explore the emergence of a new player in the instrument industry, HASA Optix, which aims to provide surgeons with innovative solutions without compromising on quality. Notably, HASA Optix also focuses on reducing the environmental impact of eye surgery.

Bios:

Mr Allon Barsam (host)
Mr. Allon Barsam is a director and founding partner of OCL Vision in the UK. He specialises in laser eye surgery, lens-based vision correction surgery, cataract surgery with premium lenses, corneal transplantation, and keratoconus management.

Dr Eric Donnenfeld (guest)
Dr Eric Donnenfeld is an internationally recognised expert and pioneer in refractive, cornea and cataract surgery and one of the leading refractive and cataract surgeons in the United States.  He has won numerous awards, including being named Newsweek’s best ophthalmologist in America in both 2022 and 2021.

Mr Eric T’Scharner (guest)
Eric T’Scharner is Chief ‘Everything’ Officer (CEO) at HASA Optix, a start-up surgical instrument company based in Belgium that develops sustainable premium single use instruments for ophthalmic surgery.

Key Takeaways:

HASA OPTIX is a Belgium based medical device company and manufacturer of premium-quality, recyclable, single-use ophthalmic surgical instruments.

Dr Donnenfeld believes that HASA OPTIX provides ‘absolutely the best instruments’ that he has used ‘in his entire career’, recommending them over reusable instruments for the following reasons:

• Premium quality– The level of precision and accuracy with which HASA OPTIX constucts their instruments provides a quality standard equivalent to reusable instruments. The panel agrees that this can improve the reliability of surgeries, reduce the risk of complications, and provide patients with the quality outcomes they want from surgery.
• Improved accuracy: Dr Donnenfeld references microforceps and explains ‘The quality of the HASA microforceps are actually better than the ones that I use that are reusable !’  Assuring surgeons that the instruments ‘meet your needs’ to ‘provide the feel in the OR that goes towards you being a competent surgeon.’
• Lower cost: Eric T’Scharner explains that disposable instruments are actually more cost-effective versus reusable instruments since they eliminate the need for expensive sterilisation equipment and associated procedures. A further review will be published this year (2023) comparing in detail the overall cost and carbon footprint of disposable versus reusable instrumentation.
• Increased efficiency: Switching to single-use instruments means that the right tools are always readily available to accomplish the right goals, leads to better organization in the OR, less stress for the surgeons and staff, and can lower the risk of infections.

Connect with Mr Allon Barsam on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allon-barsam-b533b45/
https://twitter.com/AllonBarsam
https://www.instagram.com/allonbarsam/

Connect with Dr Donnenfeld on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-donnenfeld-98b6a168

Connect with Eric T’Scharner on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-t-scharner-172ab917/

Summary:

Professor Gerd Auffarth (Germany) and Dr Nino Hirnschall (Austria) discuss the importance of biometry considerations. They explore the reliability and selection of biometric devices, considering various options. The conversation focuses on the evolution of biometric measurements for IOL calculation, moving beyond basic parameters to more detailed and specific eye measurements. The surgeons also examine the question of whether advanced technologies are foolproof and highlight potential challenges that can still occur despite using the latest, most advanced technology.

Bios:

Prof Gerd Auffarth (host)
Professor Gerd Auffarth is one of the world’s leading intraocular lens experts. He is a Chairman of The Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, and the Head of the David J. Apple Center for Vision Research. He also serves as the Director of the IVCRC. In 2018, Gerd ranked second in the The Ophthalmologist’s Powerlist of the World’s Top 100 most influential people in the world of ophthalmology.

Dr Nino Hirnschall (guest)
Dr Nino Hirnschall is an internationally renowned expert in biometry and a surgical consultant at the Kepler University Hospital in Linz, Austria. He completed his training in Vienna at the Hanusch Hospital and has worked in many clinics across the UK and Australia.

Key Takeaways:

• For Prof Auffarth and Dr Hirnschall, there is no longer a gold standard for biometry. In order to obtain accurate measurements, multiple measurements must be taken with several devices and compared, and the medical history of the patient must be taken into consideration.
• Biometry has changed over the years from a simple calculation of a lens to a comprehensive diagnostic system.
• Swept-source OTCs currently provide the most advanced, quality measurements because they allow you to have a bright, sharp image.
• Hirnschall believes that the main source of error for biometry calculations today is the prediction of the position of the lens, but new more modern formulas such as the EVO formula, the Kane Formula, and the Barrett Formula are producing better results.

Connect with Prof Gerd Auffarth on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-dr-med-gerd-u-auffarth-febo-a935794/

Connect with Dr Hirnschall on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nino-hirnschall-565b9015a/

Summary:

German professors Gerd Auffarth and Martin Dirisamer discuss the essential aspects of implanting Toric IOLs, condensing hours of discussion into one podcast episode. They cover crucial topics, including patient identification, accurate measurements, optimal incision placement, marking system selection, and effective IOL rotation management. Additionally, they explore toric IOL materials, designs, and discuss current market models.

Bios:

Prof Gerd Auffarth (host)
Professor Gerd Auffarth is one of the world’s leading intraocular lens experts. He is a Chairman of The Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, and the Head of the David J. Apple Center for Vision Research. He also serves as the Director of the IVCRC. In 2018, Gerd ranked second in the The Ophthalmologist’s Powerlist of the World’s Top 100 most influential people in the world of ophthalmology.

Prof Martin Dirisamer (guest)
Professor Martin Dirisamer is a cataract surgery specialist at Dirisamer Luft Priglinger practice in Linz, Austria. He has achieved numerous awards for various lectures and posters, and was recognised as one of the 40 most influential ophthalmologists worldwide by The Ophthalmologist magazine.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr Dirisamer advises that surgeons should keep in mind that approximately 30% of cataract patients have more than 1 dioptre of corneal astigmatism and are therefore suitable for a toric IOL – proper measurements are therefore essential.
• Dr Dirisamer reveals that he doesn’t 100% trust his IOL Master or Pentacam, explaining the studies which support the diagnostic masters can be conflicting.

Summarising the Dos & Don’ts:

DOs:

• Dr Dirisamer recommends to not rush the pre-operative assessment and repeat measurements for certainty. The accurate measurement of corneal astigmatism is essential for proper IOL selection and placement. Use high-quality diagnostic equipment to measure corneal astigmatism and determine the correct power and axis for the toric IOL.
• To ensure accurate measurements, Dr Dirisamer advises patients to stop wearing contact lenses before the corneal astigmatism measurements are taken as contact lenses can temporarily alter the shape of the cornea, which can in turn affect the accuracy of measurements. Soft contact lenses should be discontinued for two weeks prior to biometric measurements, whereas rigid gas permeable / hard lenses should be discontinued for at least three weeks.
• Dr Dirisamer selects toric IOLs for patients with at least 1 dioptre of astigmatism. He explains that manufacturers usually have a quarter of dioptre steps and provide training and education on how to properly manage them.
• Accurately marking the cornea is essential for proper IOL alignment and Dr Dirisamer recommends having knowledge and experience with ink marking. Dr Dirisamer suggests using a marker designed specifically for marking the cornea and double-check the markings before proceeding with surgery.
• Prof Auffarth believes that the success of toric lenses started with ink marking to guide the alignment of the toric IOL and explains that it is still a valuable tool in their successful implantation, particularly in cases where other technologies may not be available or appropriate.
• The surgeons agree on the importance of following established surgical techniques and guidelines for IOL implantation to minimise the risk of complications such as infection or damage to surrounding tissues.
• The RayOne Toric IOL has a closed C-loop haptic with a specific design that prevents it from rotation and also from shrinkage when you have a capsular contracture due to fibrosis.

DON’Ts:

• Rush the pre-operative assessment: Take the time to accurately assess the patient’s corneal astigmatism and IOL needs. Rushing this process can result in improper IOL selection and placement, leading to poor visual outcomes.
• Misalign the toric IOL: Proper alignment of the toric IOL is critical for optimal visual outcomes. Misalignment can lead to blurred or distorted vision.

Additional Resources:

See the full line up of Rayner Toric IOLs here:
https://rayner.com/en/iol/toric/

Connect with Prof Gerd Auffarth on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-dr-med-gerd-u-auffarth-febo-a935794/

Connect with Prof Dirisamer on LinkedIn and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-dr-martin-dirisamer-b2281667/
https://www.instagram.com/martindirisamer/

Summary:

Professor Gerd Auffarth (Germany) explores IOL materials with Dr Ben LaHood (Australia). Together, they dive into the widespread debate surrounding hydrophobic and hydrophilic lenses and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each, including material opacification and glistenings.

Bios:

Prof Gerd Auffarth (host)
Professor Gerd Auffarth is one of the world’s leading intraocular lens experts. He is a Chairman of The Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, and the Head of the David J. Apple Center for Vision Research. He also serves as the Director of the IVCRC.  In 2018, Gerd ranked second in the The Ophthalmologist’s Powerlist of the World’s Top 100 most influential people in the world of ophthalmology.

Dr Ben LaHood (guest)
Dr Ben LaHood is a world-renowned expert in refractive cataract and laser vision correction surgery. His research focusing on astigmatism management and biometry is frequently published and presented worldwide. Ben also hosts two popular ophthalmic podcasts.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr LaHood has been using hydrophilic IOLs for a decade and has not reported significant issues relating to opacification.
• Prof Auffarth believes it’s ‘completely unfair’ to brand a category of IOLs negatively, especially hydrophilic IOLs in association with opacification when cases are so rare.
• Dr LaHood highlights the importance of patient selection, and explains how surgeons can minimise the risk of opacification by discussing the elimination process of patients considered high risk.
• Dr LaHood believes the key advantages of hydrophilic IOLs overcome the small risk of opacification. The key benefits of hydrophilic IOLs include their foldability, biocompatibility, variety of optical designs, and lack of glistenings.

Connect with Prof Gerd Auffarth on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-dr-med-gerd-u-auffarth-febo-a935794/

Connect with Dr Ben LaHood on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-lahood-99232a193/
https://www.instagram.com/drbenlahood/
https://twitter.com/benlahood

Summary:

Dr Roger Zaldivar, Dr Filomena Ribeiro and Dr Joaquín Fernández Pérez gather at the 25th congress at FacoElche in Spain to discuss the key takeaways from Rayner’s clinical symposium on ‘Optical Quality & Patient Satisfaction’, and interesting and exciting trends covered at this year’s event. 

Bios:

Dr Filomena Ribeiro (guest)
Dr Filomena Ribeiro is the head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Hospital da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal and a member of the executive board of the ESCRS.

Dr Roger Zaldivar (guest)
Dr Roger Zaldivar is the CEO of the Instituto Zaldivar in Mendoza Argentina and the past-president of the Refractive Surgery Alliance. He is also the founder of Revai, a collaborative medical platform with the goal of transforming current medicine by improving every day processes.

Dr Joaquín Fernández Pérez (guest)
Dr Joaquín Fernández Pérez is the CEO and Medical Director of the Ophthalmology Department at Qvisión in Vithas Virgen del Mar Hospital in Spain. His research has been published in many national and international journals and has presented at many ophthalmology congresses worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

• 2023 trends from FacoElche include the improvement of diagnostics and the explosion of options with regard to IOL technology and software for patients.
• Ribeiro is confident that there is always a solution to addressing presbyopia in cataract surgery if you manage patient expectations correctly and choose the right IOL.
• Zaldivar finds the RayOne EMV IOL very useful in his practice, allowing him to provide patients with more spectacle independence and functional vision in their daily activities.
• Fernández Pérez looks forward to the use of big collaborative data.
• For Dr Zaldivar, Rayner’s RayPRO+ app facilitates tracking patient-reported outcomes and organizing data in a comprehensive way.

Additional Resources:

RayOne EMV and EMV Toric
https://rayner.com/EMV

Rayner RayPRO+
https://rayner.com/raypro/

Connect with Dr Roger Zaldivar on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerzaldivar/
https://twitter.com/RogZaldivar
https://www.instagram.com/rogzald/

Connect with Dr Filomena Ribeiro on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/filomena-ribeiro-md-phd-febo-5aa13b71/

Connect with Dr Joaquín Fernández Pérez on Instagram:
Joaquín Fernández Pérez (@joaquinfernandezoft) • Instagram photos and videos

Summary:

Mr Allon Barsam, along with his colleagues from OCL Vision (UK), engage in a discussion highlighting the significance of comprehensive management of dry eye disease, both before and after surgery. Ms Purvi Thomson, Lead Optometrist at OCL Vision, and Ms Caoimhe McGovern, Specialist Optometrist at OCL Vision participate in the conversation. They shed light on the profound effects dry eye disease can have on biometry, visual outcomes, and ultimately patient satisfaction.

Bios:

Mr Allon Barsam (host)
Mr Allon Barsam is a director and founding partner of OCL Vision, and recognised internationally as an expert and key opinion leader for cataract and refractive surgery.

Ms Purvi Thomson (guest)
Ms Purvi Thomson is Lead Optometrist at OCL Vision in London, where she utilises her expertise and specialist training to deal with various eye conditions, including dry eye disease.

Ms Caoimhe McGovern (guest)
Ms Caoimhe McGovern is a Specialist Optometrist at OCL Vision, where she carries out pre-operative assessments and post-operative consultations for refractive and cataract surgery patients.

Key Takeaways:

• Dry eye disease can impact surgical outcomes and consequently patient satisfaction.
• Many patients experience symptoms without realising they are caused by dry eye disease.
• It is important to treat patient’s dry eye disease pre-surgery and educate them on the on-going management to avoid compromised outcomes.
• If poor tear film caused by dry eye disease is not treated pre-surgery, it can result in an incorrect choice of IOL power, leading to patient dissatisfaction.
• Treatment options for dry eye disease include AEON PROTECT PLUS eye drops which are indicated for use before and after surgery. The eyedrops contain cross-linked sodium hyaluronate which results in longer lasting lubrication of the eye’s surface than non-cross-linked sodium hyaluronate.
• Accurately managing patients with dry eye disease is critical to achieving good outcomes in refractive, cataract and intraocular surgery.

Additional Resources:

AEON eye drops
https://aeoneyedrops.com/

Connect with Mr Allon Barsam on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allon-barsam-b533b45/
https://twitter.com/AllonBarsam
https://www.instagram.com/allonbarsam/

Connect with Ms Purvi Thomson on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/purvi-thomson-791678192/

Connect with Ms Caoimhe McGovern on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caoimhe-mc-govern-030a32112/

Summary:

Mr Allon Barsam, together with his colleagues from OCL Vision (UK), Mr Ali Mearza, Mr Romesh Angunawela, and Ms Masara Laginaf, delve into the significant role of digital marketing and social media in effectively managing a busy eye clinic. In an era where our online presence consumes a substantial portion of our daily lives, digital marketing serves as a crucial tool for educating patients and aiding them in selecting the most suitable eye surgeon or clinic.

Bios:

Mr Allon Barsam (host)
Mr Allon Barsam is a director and founding partner of OCL Vision, and recognised internationally as an expert and key opinion leader for cataract and refractive surgery.

Mr Ali Mearza (guest)
Mr Ali Mearza is a director and founding partner of OCL Vision. He is also a senior consultant ophthalmic surgeon at London’s Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Mr Romesh Angunawela (guest)
Mr Romesh Angunawela is an OCL Vision founding partner and consultant eye surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital where he is also Director for corneal training.

Ms Masara Laginaf (guest)
Ms Masara Laginaf is a consultant eye surgeon specialising in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery, and is the first OCL Vision trained fellow of refractive surgery.

Key Takeaways:

• Recruiting new clients is often by word of mouth, however social media has proved to be useful for brand development and reinforcing the patients’ decision.
• The panel of surgeons advise managing multiple social channels, instead of just one to reach a higher audience and demographic.
• It is important to have a well-designed and easy-to-navigate website which presents a clinic’s services clearly, including pricing information.
• Surgeons can also use social media for their own personal promotion, for example by highlighting patients they’ve treated or by sharing educational tools such as surgical methods or new innovations. It also gives patients the opportunity to interact with them.
• Treating influencers can play a large role in boosting a clinic’s exposure online organically.
• For surgeons looking to build a social media profile, the panel’s advice is to just get started. Once a profile is created, a user can view trending topics to generate ideas for content. Creativity is key.

Connect with Mr Allon Barsam on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allon-barsam-b533b45/
https://twitter.com/AllonBarsam
https://www.instagram.com/allonbarsam/

Connect with Mr Ali Mearza on Linkedin, Twitter and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alimearza/
https://twitter.com/AliMearza
https://www.instagram.com/alimearza/

Connect with Mr Romesh Angunawela on LinkedIn and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eyesurgeon/
https://www.instagram.com/laser_eyesurgeon_london/

Connect with Ms Masara Laginaf on LinkedIn and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/masara-laginaf-a9876a134/
https://www.instagram.com/dr_masaralaginaf/

Summary:

US surgeons, Dr Eric Donnenfeld and Dr Jerry Hu, engage in a conversation regarding their billing packages for RayOne EMV. They discuss their approach of offering the enhanced monofocal IOL to patients without additional charges, despite the classification of the lens as non-premium by the centres for Medicare and Medicaid services.  

Bios:

Dr Eric Donnenfeld (guest)
Dr Eric Donnenfeld is an internationally recognised expert and pioneer in refractive, cornea and cataract surgery and one of the leading refractive and cataract surgeons in the United States.  He has won numerous awards, including being named Newsweek’s best ophthalmologist in America in both 2022 and 2021.

Dr Jerry Hu (guest)
Dr Jerry Hu is a leading private practitioner in the United States with a keen interest in academic and clinical research endeavors. He has extensive experience in the treatment of cataract, refractive surgeries, corneal diseases, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eyes, and other ocular diseases. He is widely published in various fields of ophthalmic research and is a frequent lecturer and speaker at many national and regional conferences.

Key Takeaways:

• RayOne EMV is considered a non-premium lens by CMS in the United States, which means that surgeons cannot bill patients directly for this IOL.
• Dr Donnenfeld does not charge patients for the RayOne EMV lens; instead, it is included in his ‘Limbal Relaxing Incision for Pre-Existing Astigmatism’ billing package.
• In his ‘Smart Vision’ billing package, Dr Hu stays within regulations by combining the RayOne EMV with ORA intraoperative wavefront aberrometry to give his patients monovision and to correct their astigmatism.
• Dr Donnenfeld’s lens of choice for his ‘Refractive’ billing package — and for his practice — is RayOne EMV because he believes that it gives patients the most value: quality distance and intermediate vision.
• Since implanting RayOne EMV, Dr Hu has not had any patients complain about having decreased quality of vision, and the data suggests that all of his RayOne EMV patients have great distance vision.

Additional Resources:

RayOne EMV Billing Testimonial feat. Dr Eric Donnenfeld (USA) and Dr Jerry Hu (USA)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1SEofKhIWY

RayOne EMV and TECNIS Eyhance: A Comparative Clinical Defocus Curve
https://rayner.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/166.-RayOne-EMV-White-Paper.pdf

RayOne EMV: First Clinical Results
https://rayner.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/161.-RayOne-EMV-First-Clinical-Results.pdf

Find out more about RayOne EMV:

RayOne EMV
www.rayner.com/EMV

Connect with Dr Donnenfeld on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-donnenfeld-98b6a168

Summary:

Mr Paul Rosen (UK) highlights some of the key insights from a Rayner webinar with Mr Allon Barsam (UK) and Mr Andrew Turnbull (UK). The panel discuss why RayOne EMV has become their go-to lens; how RayOne EMV compares to trifocal IOLs; how to master monovision, and how to effectively manage the RayOne EMV patient pre-operative conversation. 

Bios:

Mr Paul Rosen (host)
Mr Paul Rosen is a consultant ophthalmologist at Oxford Eye Hospital who specialises in cataract surgery, glaucoma and retinal and refractive surgery. He is chairman of the trustees of the ESCRS, a trustee of UKISCRS, and a medical editor of EuroTimes.

Mr Andrew Turnbull (guest)
Mr Andrew Turnbull is an ophthalmic consultant who runs a private clinic and is also the NHS clinical lead for cataract surgery in Bournemouth. He specialises in laser vision correction, cataract and lens replacement surgery, anterior segment surgery including iris reconstruction and pterygium surgery, as well as comprehensive medical eye care including blepharitis and dry eye disease.

Mr Allon Barsam (guest)
Mr Allon Barsam is a director and founding partner of OCL Vision in London, England. He specialises in laser eye surgery, lens-based vision correction surgery, cataract surgery with premium lenses, corneal transplantation, and keratoconus management.

Key Takeaways:

• RayOne EMV is a lens that induces positive spherical aberration, and in doing so, helps to extend depth of focus.
• RayOne EMV consultations are typically shorter, especially when compared with a trifocal IOL consultation.
• Natural quality of vision is where there is a natural range of vision and the RayOne EMV provides this.

 Additional Resources:

Premium IOL Webinar: Managing the Patient Pre-op Conversation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DqiNkVNzT0&t=314s

RayOne EMV A New Direction in Presbyopia Correction
https://rayner.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/RayOne-EMV_-A-New-Direction-in-Presbyopia-Correction.pdf

Rayner ESCRS 2022 Symposium: challenges in cataract surgery and advanced technology IOLs
https://youtu.be/FJzV9Grwshk

How to choose the right presbyopia correction solution for your patients
https://rayner.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/169.CRSTE-Rayner-Presbyopia-Correction-Supplement-APRIL-2021.pdf

Mr Turnbull shares experience with RayOne EMV
https://youtu.be/7wfcCzafsoY

Find out more about RayOne EMV and Trifocal IOLs.

RayOne EMV
https://rayner.com/EMV

Rayner trifocal IOLs
https://rayner.com/trifocal

Connect with Mr Rosen, Mr. Turnbull and Mr Barsam:

Mr Rosen on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rosen-6961503/

Mr Turnbull on Linkedin and Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-turnbull-eye-surgeon
https://twitter.com/the_iSurgeon

Mr Barsam on Linkedin, Instagram and Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allon-barsam-b533b45/
https://www.instagram.com/allonbarsam/
https://twitter.com/AllonBarsam

Summary:

Mr Paul Rosen (UK) highlights some of the key insights from a Rayner webinar with Mr Allon Barsam (UK) and Mr Andrew Turnbull (UK). The panel discuss why RayOne EMV has become their go-to lens; how RayOne EMV compares to trifocal IOLs; how to master monovision, and how to effectively manage the RayOne EMV patient pre-operative conversation. 

Bios:

Mr Paul Rosen (host)
Mr Paul Rosen is a consultant ophthalmologist at Oxford Eye Hospital who specialises in cataract surgery, glaucoma and retinal and refractive surgery. He is chairman of the trustees of the ESCRS, a trustee of UKISCRS, and a medical editor of EuroTimes.

Mr Andrew Turnbull (guest)
Mr Andrew Turnbull is an ophthalmic consultant who runs a private clinic and is also the NHS clinical lead for cataract surgery in Bournemouth. He specialises in laser vision correction, cataract and lens replacement surgery, anterior segment surgery including iris reconstruction and pterygium surgery, as well as comprehensive medical eye care including blepharitis and dry eye disease.

Mr Allon Barsam (guest)
Mr Allon Barsam is a director and founding partner of OCL Vision in London, England. He specialises in laser eye surgery, lens-based vision correction surgery, cataract surgery with premium lenses, corneal transplantation, and keratoconus management.

Key Takeaways:

• RayOne EMV is a lens that induces positive spherical aberration, and in doing so, helps to extend depth of focus.
• RayOne EMV consultations are typically shorter, especially when compared with a trifocal IOL consultation.
• Natural quality of vision is where there is a natural range of vision and the RayOne EMV provides this.

 Additional Resources:

Premium IOL Webinar: Managing the Patient Pre-op Conversation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DqiNkVNzT0&t=314s

RayOne EMV A New Direction in Presbyopia Correction
https://rayner.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/RayOne-EMV_-A-New-Direction-in-Presbyopia-Correction.pdf

Rayner ESCRS 2022 Symposium: challenges in cataract surgery and advanced technology IOLs
https://youtu.be/FJzV9Grwshk

How to choose the right presbyopia correction solution for your patients
https://rayner.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/169.CRSTE-Rayner-Presbyopia-Correction-Supplement-APRIL-2021.pdf

Mr Turnbull shares experience with RayOne EMV
https://youtu.be/7wfcCzafsoY 

Find out more about RayOne EMV and Trifocal IOLs.

RayOne EMV
https://rayner.com/EMV

Rayner trifocal IOLs
https://rayner.com/trifocal

Connect with Mr Rosen, Mr. Turnbull and Mr Barsam:

Mr Rosen on Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rosen-6961503/

Mr Turnbull on Linkedin and Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-turnbull-eye-surgeon
https://twitter.com/the_iSurgeon

Mr Barsam on Linkedin, Instagram and Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allon-barsam-b533b45/
https://www.instagram.com/allonbarsam/
https://twitter.com/AllonBarsam

Summary:

Dr Karl Stonecipher (US) meets with Professor Graham Barrett (Australia), to learn more about his partnership with Rayner, developing RayOne EMV. Their conversation delves into the concept behind RayOne EMV, the incorporation of positive spherical aberration to enhance depth of focus, the process of patient selection, and the lens’ applicability for a wide range of patients.

Bios:

Dr Karl Stonecipher (host)
Dr Karl Stonecipher is the medical director of TLC Greensboro in North Carolina and a clinical associate professor of Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina. Dr Stonecipher has over 100 abstracts, articles, and book chapters published, and speaks both nationally and internationally on refractive, cataract, presbyopic and refractive surgery.

Prof Graham Barrett (guest)
Professor Graham Barrett is a consultant ophthalmologist at the Lions Eye Institute as well as Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth Western Australia and is a clinical professor in the University Department of Ophthalmology of Western Australia. His special areas of interest include cataract and implant surgery, as well as corneal and keratorefractive surgery. Professor Barrett is also the founding and current President of AUSCRS.

Key Takeaways:

• RayOne EMV uses positive spherical aberration which interacts synergistically with myopia to give an extended range of vision without impacting distance vision.
• Professor Barrett discovered that using positive spherical aberration with myopia achieves a better quality of vision.
• If surgeons are unsure about using RayOne EMV on a patient, Professor Barrett suggests checking the amount of spherical aberration in the eye and being cautious if it nears +0.3 to +0.4 microns.
• Professor Barrett believes the RayOne EMV lens is suitable for almost anyone.
• Today, many patients are more concerned with being spectacle free for intermediate vision, so that they can use their smart phones and tablets.

Additional Resources:

My Next Ophthalmologist Needs No Introduction: Ep 2 with Prof Barrett
https://youtu.be/_ktxkqZ6YM0

The Best of Both Worlds by Professor Graham D Barrett
https://youtu.be/ltKMxblVASI

Find out more about RayOne EMV

RayOne EMV
www.rayner.com/EMV

Bios:

Dr Lisa Nijm (host)
Dr. Lisa Nijm is a corneal, cataract, refractive surgeon, licensed attorney, & clinical professor at UIC Eye and Ear Infirmary. She serves as CEO of Women in Ophthalmology, where she has led the organization to exponential growth. Dr. Nijm has repeatedly been ranked as one of the most influential ophthalmologists worldwide, including The Ophthalmologist’s Power List, Newsweek’s America’s Best Ophthalmologists, and Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors.

Dr Stefanie Schmickler (guest)
Dr Stefanie Schmickler is a cataract and refractive surgeon and managing director of the Augen-Zentrum-Nordwest in Ahaus, Germany, one of the largest specialist clinics in the region with 11 locations and over 250 employees. Dr Schmickler is also editor of CONCEPT Ophthalmology and board member of OcuNet (www.ocunet.de).

Dr Josefina Botta (guest)
Dr Josefina Botta is an ophthalmologist at Consultorios Botta Ruiz in Buenos Aires, Argentina and an undergraduate and postgraduate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Buenos Aires and the University of Maimonides, specialising in Cornea and Anterior Segment.  She is also secretary of the Argentine Council of Ophthalmology and Vice president of the Argentine Society of Cornea, Refractive and Cataract surgery.

Summary:

Dr Lisa Nijm (US), Dr Stefanie Schmickler (Germany) and Dr Josefina Botta (Argentina) explore female leadership in ophthalmology and championing women in the operating room. Together, they share their leadership journeys, offer advice about growing a business, and also discuss the skill sets required for being a successful surgeon.

Key Takeaways:

• It is important to elevate the patient experience as much as possible so that when they come out of their cataract journey, not only do patients have great vision but they also feel that they’ve been well taken care of as a person.
• In the age of digital marketing, it is important to communicate with patients through social media.
• Manufacturers have an important role in bringing surgeons together so that they can network and share information.
• The pandemic has led to a new hybrid approach to learning and networking. There are some intangibles that happen when you’re in person with other like-minded surgeons, but it is also valuable to have information quickly online and to be able to connect with surgeons from all over the world at all times.

Connect with Dr Nijm, Dr Schmickler and Dr Botta:

Dr Nijm on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisanijm
https://www.instagram.com/RealWorldOphthalmologymdnegotiation
https://twitter.com/LisaNijmMDJDlisanijmmdjd

Dr Schmickler on LinkedIn and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-stefanie-schmickler-7523878a
https://www.instagram.com/stefanieschmickler

Dr Botta on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drajosefinabotta

Bios:

Dr Lisa Nijm (host)
Dr. Lisa Nijm is a corneal, cataract, refractive surgeon, licensed attorney, & clinical professor at UIC Eye and Ear Infirmary. She serves as CEO of Women in Ophthalmology, where she has led the organization to exponential growth. Dr. Nijm has repeatedly been ranked as one of the most influential ophthalmologists worldwide, including The Ophthalmologist’s Power List, Newsweek’s America’s Best Ophthalmologists, and Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors.

Dr Stefanie Schmickler (guest)
Dr Stefanie Schmickler is a cataract and refractive surgeon and managing director of the Augen-Zentrum-Nordwest in Ahaus, Germany, one of the largest specialist clinics in the region with 11 locations and over 250 employees. Dr Schmickler is also editor of CONCEPT Ophthalmology and board member of OcuNet (www.ocunet.de).

Dr Josefina Botta (guest)
Dr Josefina Botta is an ophthalmologist at Consultorios Botta Ruiz in Buenos Aires, Argentina and an undergraduate and postgraduate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Buenos Aires and the University of Maimonides, specialising in Cornea and Anterior Segment.  She is also secretary of the Argentine Council of Ophthalmology and Vice president of the Argentine Society of Cornea, Refractive and Cataract surgery.

Summary:

Dr Lisa Nijm (US), Dr Stefanie Schmickler (Germany) and Dr Josefina Botta (Argentina) explore female leadership in ophthalmology and championing women in the operating room. Together, they share their leadership journeys, offer advice about growing a business, and also discuss the skill sets required for being a successful surgeon.

Key Takeaways:

• It is important to elevate the patient experience as much as possible so that when they come out of their cataract journey, not only do patients have great vision but they also feel that they’ve been well taken care of as a person.
• In the age of digital marketing, it is important to communicate with patients through social media.
• Manufacturers have an important role in bringing surgeons together so that they can network and share information.
• The pandemic has led to a new hybrid approach to learning and networking. There are some intangibles that happen when you’re in person with other like-minded surgeons, but it is also valuable to have information quickly online and to be able to connect with surgeons from all over the world at all times.

Connect with Dr Nijm, Dr Schmickler and Dr Botta:

Dr Nijm on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisanijm
https://www.instagram.com/RealWorldOphthalmologymdnegotiation
https://twitter.com/LisaNijmMDJDlisanijmmdjd

Dr Schmickler on LinkedIn and Instagram:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-stefanie-schmickler-7523878a
https://www.instagram.com/stefanieschmickler

Dr Botta on Instagram and LinkedIn:
https://www.instagram.com/drajosefinabotta

Summary:
Dr Lisa Nijm (US) and Dr Paul Singh (US) discuss the changing landscape of clinical education in ophthalmology. The surgeons consider how alternative media such as webinars and podcasts are becoming the preferred method of education among young ophthalmologists, and how educational platforms such as Rayner’s Peer2Peer are connecting surgeons across the world.

Bios:

Dr Lisa Nijm (host)
Dr. Lisa Nijm is a corneal, cataract, refractive surgeon, licensed attorney, & clinical professor at UIC Eye and Ear Infirmary. She serves as CEO of Women in Ophthalmology, where she has led the organization to exponential growth. Dr. Nijm has repeatedly been ranked as one of the most influential ophthalmologists worldwide, including The Ophthalmologist’s Power List, Newsweek’s America’s Best Ophthalmologists, and Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors.

Dr Paul Singh (guest)
Dr Singh is a glaucoma specialist and the president of The Eye Centers of Racine & Kenosha Ltd. in Wisconsin. His clinical research has been published and presented at various national meetings and universities around the world. Dr. Singh was also named America’s Best Eye Doctor in 2021 by Newsweek.

Key Takeaways:

• Listening to podcasts such as Rayner’s ‘Peer2Peer: The Podcast’ is an easy and excellent way to keep abreast of what’s happening in the world of ophthalmology and gain knowledge from your peers.
• The new generation of young ophthalmologists are turning more towards alternative media such as webinars and podcasts for education.
• Digital learning is connecting ophthalmologists from around the world and offering new possibilities for sharing information.
• For Dr Nijm, the future of ophthalmology education is hybrid and young surgeons should take advantage of digital platforms to obtain education throughout the year while also attending congresses to benefit from in-person time with your peers.
• For Dr Singh, it is important to use new information to evolve your surgical techniques and take better care of your patients. You must never be afraid to try new technology.

Additional Resources:

Dr Singh, President of The Eye Centers of Racine & Kenosha, Ltd.
https://amazingeye.com/eye-doctors/inder-paul-singh-m-d/

Dr Nijm, Founder of Real World Ophthalmology
https://www.RealWorldOphthalmology.com

Dr Nijm, CEO, Warrenville EyeCare & LASIK
www.WarrenvilleEyeCare.com 

Find out more about RayOne EMV and OMIDRIA

RayOne EMV
https://rayner.com/EMV

OMIDRIA
https://www.omidriahcp.com

Connect with Dr Nijm and Dr Singh:

Dr Nijm on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisanijm
https://www.instagram.com/RealWorldOphthalmology
https://twitter.com/LisaNijmMDJD

Dr Singh on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-singh-304a363/
https://www.instagram.com/inderpaul_s/
https://twitter.com/ipsingheyedoc